Ray Rice expects to pass by 49ers linebackers

Jan. 30, 2013
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Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) and tackle Bryant McKinnie (78) stand in the tunnel as they wait for the start of media day in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII against the San Francisco 49ers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. / Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY Sports

by Kevin Manahan, USA TODAY Sports

by Kevin Manahan, USA TODAY Sports

NEW ORLEANS â?? Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice knows it might be tough running the ball against the San Francisco 49ers defense, and he envisions several carries that might be "the most physical two-yard runs in the Super Bowl."

But after thinking about taking a few whacks between the tackles from the likes of linebackers Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman, or outside the tackles from Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks, Rice smiled.

"This game will come down to matchups," he said. "In the run game, the linebackers, they might get their fair share of plays, they might make some tackles, but there comes a point in the game when you have to cover me."

And, frankly, Rice doesn't think they can do it.

"I don't think a lot of linebackers can cover me, not just the 49ers," he said. "Linebackers are built a different way. They're built to tackle. They're not built to cover, so when I've got them man-to-man, I have to win my fair share.

"Let's pad up. We've got to pad up and see."

And the response from 49ers linebackers? Two of them chuckled.

"Let Ray Rice say what he says," Willis said. "He's a good football player, but we also believe in us and we believe we can cover any back in the National Football League. In the Super Bowl, the best cornerbacks cover the best receivers, the best safeties cover the best tight ends, the best linebackers cover the best running backs.

"You watch the game tapes. We've been covering more elusive backs than him. We get the job done."

Added Bowman: "Obviously, he's underestimating us. We're going to have to show him on Sunday."

This season, Rice carried the ball 257 times for 1,143 yards and nine touchdowns. He caught 61 passes for 478 yards and a TD â?? a down year for a guy who, in his career, has 5,250 rushing yards and 2,713 receiving yards.

"Can they cover me?" Rice said. "I'm not going to say they can't. All I'm saying is Ray Rice has been very successful in the passing game."